Covid-19

COVID-19 Updates for Wayne County, Tennessee

Please read to the bottom for all updates by date.

May 15, 2020

I have spoken directly with Core Civic Administration and have been informed that the new nearly sixty (60) Covid-19 cases in Wayne County are in the Clifton Facility. Those inmates have been quarantined and will remain so until fourteen (14) days from the time that they tested positive. There were no staff members who have tested positive at this time.

Those new cases are a result of increased testing as directed by the Governor of Tennessee approximately 1800 were tested including the staff. At this time I have been informed that all of these people were asymptomatic.

Jim Mangubat

County Executive

May 4, 2020

Wayne County Recovery Plan Update #3

Wayne County Government Buildings will re-open Monday, May 11, 2020.

We request that upon entering the individual offices only two members of the public be in the office at one time. Wearing masks is not required but recommended. Please maintain social distancing in the offices. THANK YOU to everyone for your understanding during the past months.

If you have questions call the office of the County Executive at 931-722-3653.

April 24, 2020

Wayne County Recovery Plan Update #1

Today during his press conference The Governor of Tennessee gave further guidance concerning the re-opening of businesses. After these new recommendations were released by the office of The Governor the Recovery Plan for Wayne County will be modified to include but not limited to the following:

A) Only Restaurants will be recommended to re-open Monday, April 27, 2020 at 50% capacity and also following the guidelines listed on the TN.GOV website for restaurants.

B) Retail Businesses will be recommended to re-open Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 50% capacity and also following the guidelines listed on the TN.GOV website for retail businesses.

We have been notified by the TDH that a resident of Wayne County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The patient has been placed in quarantine.

This is not unexpected. Your local officials have been preparing for and expecting this for weeks. We are coordinating with the TDH and the healthcare community to make sure all Wayne County residents are protected.

The worst thing we can do during trying times like this is panic. It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild course of illness and recover quickly. If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, it is very important that you call your doctor first. Do not go the Emergency Department or any doctor's office without calling first. We all have to work together to make sure our health care community is not overwhelmed with worried well.

We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate. Over the next several weeks we might all suffer some inconveniences. You might see things like, you have to do thru the drive through at the bank or a restaurant. There might be some other temporary closures of businesses in the community but this will end and we will be stronger as a community.

Here are some things you can do to help.

As I mentioned, do not go to the doctor or the ER without calling first. Keep your hands clean and continue to practice social distancing. If you are feeling bad, stay at home. Keep an eye on our elders. They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those with prior illness are at greatest risk so we need to some together and support them.

Again, I want to emphasize, this was not unexpected. We are prepared and are working closely with the TDH and all agencies of government at all levels to minimize the impact on the residents of Wayne County. That has been and continues to be our primary concern. We will get through this together. Of this I am certain.

Individuals with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or the South Central information line at 931-490-8312.

March 29, 2020

I have spoken directly with CoreCivic administration and have been informed that they do have an employee who has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is NOT a resident of Wayne County and that this individual is NOT in the Wayne Medical Center Hospital. The following is being issued jointly by CoreCivic and Wayne County Government:

On March 28, we learned that a CoreCivic employee, who works at our South Central Correctional Center in Clifton, TN, has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is currently at a local hospital receiving treatment. Efforts are underway to notify other employees or contractors that may have been in contact with the individual who tested positive.

We are closely monitoring our inmate population and have placed 35 inmates who may have been in contact with this employee on quarantine in a separate housing unit at the facility. We've reported the matter to the Tennessee Department of Health, and we'll work closely with them to implement any recommendations they have. We're also working closely with our partners at Tennessee Department of Correction.

CoreCivic is working hard to protect our employees, those entrusted to our care, and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a Coronavirus Medical Action Plan in place at each of our facilities, which we've been working on since January. This plan includes:

* Having medical staff participate in the intake process to identify those who are deemed high-risk of being infected with or contracting COVID-19;

* Isolating those who are deemed high-risk as needed; and

* Working with local and state health departments to conduct appropriate testing.

All of our facilities are actively promoting the following three health habits for inmates, detainees and residents, as well as staff: regular hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette (coughing or sneezing into a sleeve or tissue), and avoiding touching one's face. We also encourage the practice of social distancing, when feasible, for all individuals within our facilities.

Our health services administrators cooperate fully with local and state health departments, and our protocols mirror local, state, and federal recommendations. Our plan and practices build on the extensive work we do every day to run clean, healthy and safe facilities. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our medical staff during this time.

We have asked all of our employees to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases by adhering to the following recommendations:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

* Stay home when you are sick.

* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

* Follow the CDC's recommendations for using a facemask (medical professionals).

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

We ask at this time all non-essential employees to please stay home and take precautionary steps.

County Buildings Closed to the Public

Update March 27, 2020

The Governor has recommended that schools be closed through April 24, 2020 and the Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended court until April 30, 2020.

In addition, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise. Therefore I am extending the closure of all county government buildings to the public through April 24, 2020.

These are unprecedented times that we all are facing. I appreciate your understanding during this pandemic.

Jim Mangubat

County Executive

Wayne County offices closing through March

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That wise old saying is the reasoning behind my decision to close Wayne County Government offices through the end of this month. Employees will be here and ready to help when you call, email, or fax, but our buildings will be closed to the public.

This is absolutely no reason to worry more than you already do. As I’m writing this, there are no cases of Coronavirus outside Tennessee’s major population centers. It is very contagious, but so is the flu, which has a greater impact on people of all ages every year than Coronavirus has.

The list of precautions is very basic: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Catch coughs and sneezes in your arm or a tissue. Clean and disinfect high-touch items like cell phones often. Stay home if you are sick.

Reduce person-to-person contact and avoid crowds.

Because our offices are places where people gather and person-to-person contact occurs, we are reducing everyone’s risk by closing for this short period of time. I ask that you be patient, as this situation is entirely new for all of us. And remember, this too shall pass.

Please take time to read this information from our offices:

WAYNE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT – The Health Department will remain open during this period, but Coronavirus testing should be sought through your physician or a walk-in clinic. If you have questions about Coronavirus, please call the state’s toll-free number at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Wayne County Health Department may be reached at 931-722-3292. Please be patient, as many people are calling.

SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION – The transfer station is open, so residents, businesses and municipalities can bring garbage and other materials for drop-off. The office is closed to the public. If you have questions, call 931-722-9616.

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND JAIL – The lobby of the Sheriff’s Department is open. Please call 931-722-3615 if you have questions.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE’s OFFICE – If you have any questions, call my office at 931-722-3653. Any messages will be returned as soon as possible.

COUNTY COURT CLERK – Please use mail and internet as much as possible. If any business can be delayed until after March 31, we ask that you do so. If you have questions call 931-722-5544.

PROPERTY ASSESSOR – Business with the Property Assessor can be conducted by calling 931-722-5282.

TRUSTEE – Please conduct as much business as possible through the phone or email. Any questions please call 931-722-3269.

REGISTER OF DEEDS – Most business can be taken care of with a phone call. The primary number is 931-722-5518. If you need to record a document, your fully prepared deed or document (no blanks) can be mailed to Wayne County Register of Deeds100 Court Circle, Suite 205, Waynesboro, TN 38485. If you are unsure about the recording fees, please call.

ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICE – To send forms, including qualifying petitions, to the Election office, please mail to Wayne County Election Office, 100 Court Circle, Suite 201, Waynesboro, TN 38485. The qualifying deadline for the August 6, 2020 election is April 2, 2020 at 12 Noon. Call the office at 931-722-3517 with any questions.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK –Fees can be mailed to P. O. Box 869, Waynesboro, TN 38485. Please be sure to include your name and any other identifying information with your payment. Call the office at 931-722-5519 if you have questions.